Event description: "You are a part of history. NAAFA as invited representatives from Southwest, United, American, Continental, and other airlines to discuss how we can help them better serve our community. Rules of conduct will be available prior to the meeting."

Press was allowed at the meeting, as well as TV coverage.

The following statement was presented by NAAFA's public relations officer Jeanette DePatie to representatives from Delta Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines at a session entitled "NAAFA Think Tank: Airlines and Fat Passengers":

We at NAAFA are saddened and angered by Southwest Airlines' recent decision to enforce their "Person of Size Policy."

We believe that every person, regardless of body size, has the right to travel free from harassment. Airlines routinely accommodate other groups of passengers with special needs, such as those in wheelchairs, older persons with mobility problems, and children traveling alone. Yet they consistently ignore the special needs of fat passengers.

While Southwest claims that their "Person of Size Policy" is for the comfort of all passengers, NAAFA believes that there are inherent problems in both the Southwest Policy and how gate agents are applying it.

It is not always clear when a passenger will be required to buy two seats. Most airlines currently leave this decision completely up to the discretion of your gate agents. However, many of our members complain that this decision seems somewhat arbitrary and is not always handled with appropriate sensitivity. And even when a passenger is willing to purchase two seats, they are not awarded frequent flyers miles for two seats.

We feel that today's aircraft simply are not equipped to deal with larger passengers, and the insensitivity of airline corporations and personnel serves to make a difficult situation even worse. The seats do not meet the needs of many of today's passengers. We at NAAFA don't want to take anyone else's space and don't believe anyone should have to be uncomfortable, But at 17" to 20", airline seats are very small. In addition, restroom facilities are extremely small and difficult for large passengers to navigate.

We understand that airlines need to make money in a highly competitive marketplace. However, we believe that singling out one group as Southwest has done sets a dangerous precedent as a cost-cutting measure. Remember, a very significant percentage of the US population is considered obese. We believe that should airlines wish to remain profitable, they will have to make greater efforts to meet the needs of ALL of their passengers. We are simply asking to be treated fairly and with courtesy and respect. Thank you.

The following are answers to questions asked by NAAFA to the representatives. The answers only represent what I managed to write down during the meeting. The answers are therefore not necessarily complete and I may have misheard/misinterpreted what was said. They therefore only represent my understanding. They are not a legal record. The only exception are answers in quotes which I believe are direct quotes of what was being said.

I should also mention that at the beginning of the meeting at 2pm EST at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, only the Delta representative, Mr. Bob Leon, had arrived. He therefore was on the proverbial "hotseat" for 45 minutes until Southwest and American representatives arrived. For a description of the meeting in general, see my post on the NAAFA discussion board. I should mention that prior to Southwest's late arrival, Delta's Mr. Leon answered all questions with charm, competence and compassion and received frequent applause. His answers are therefore not included in the following notes.

Question: Do you consider obesity a disability?

Southwest: We do not consider obesity a disability but we strive to comply with all pertinent laws. However, if someone is both disabled and obese, they will have to pay for two tickets. If there is a second seat available on that flight, they will be refunded the cost of that second ticket later.

American: We comply with whatever federal and other rules and regulations apply to air carriers.

American: This is a very valid question and I do not presently have an answer.

Southwest: If a fat passenger makes a reservation for two seats in advance, then a refund will be given for the second seat should the plane not be full. No decision has been made with regard to frequent flier miles. Sometimes there are exceptions.

American: We offer more legroom per coach seat than the others (applause). Our policy is that a person does encroach when an armrest must come up, but a reclining seat does not represent encroachment..

Southwest: Our new aircraft have larger seats. The whole encroachment issue is blown out of proportion by the media. We are not talking about marginal situations. We are talking about cases were someone actually encroaches on another person. If you cannot sit in one seat, then you encroach and must buy a second ticket. Either you fit or you don't.

American: You cannot compare those situations. They are not equivalent. American deals with any complaints on a case by case basis. If there are legitimate reasons for a complaint, a customer may be denied boarding. There are regulations regarding drinking and other situations, including the transport of children.

Southwest: This is apples and oranges. "Airlines sell seats, and I am sorry it's come to this and we're taking this policy to extremes..." "Our intent is to have complete disclosure upfront." "And we provide refunds to customers who are forced to buy two seats within 24 hours if requested and the aircraft was not full." "Definitely we receive several complaints about fat people a month... that is not fair to the other customers who paid for a full seat." "If you got real estate to see, and we do sell seats, and they are all of the same size, that is what we have to do."

American adds: If a customer sits next to another customer who feels they're being encroached on, we may take action. If there are empty seats, we will make another seat available. However, any such action is only initiated by a complaint, not at the time of boarding. Also, we do not use the "armrest rule."

American: Airplane restrooms are too small for any passenger. (applause). Larger aircraft have larger facilities and they must be wheelchair accessible, per regulations.

Southwest: All of our airplanes are single aisle. No change in facilities is anticipated.

Southwest: "Typically, the customer knows if they will fit, so our hope is that the customer will simply purchase the second seat. If that does not happen, and we're talking extreme situations, the customer can pre-board and we will make a determination at that time."

American: We do not judge passengers at the gate. Any action by the airline is only in response to an actual complaint, and then we seek to make all customers comfortable to whatever extent possible.

Southwest: No. Both must buy two seats. They may get a refund if the plane is not full if they let us know in advance.

At that time, the meeting with the airline representatives ended. NAAFA thanked them for their participation. NAAFA members stayed in the room to, moderated by Dr. Barbara Altman Bruno and another moderator, to relate their experiences and feelings about this situation.

Conrad H. Blickenstorfer